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VA Wheelchair Games Go Virtual, Wisconsinites Come Out on Top, including LeToi Adams of Whitewater

July 23, 2020

WHITEWATER, Wisc., (SPECTRUM NEWS) — The national VA wheelchair games recently came to a close with quite a few Wisconsinites placing in their events.

The national wheelchair games had to turn virtual this year due to coronavirus. This means that participants had to record their event from home and send it in to be judged. LeToi Adams, an Army veteran from Whitewater says it was quite an adjustment but she wouldn’t miss the games for anything.

Click here for the complete article in Spectrum News.

Increasing Community Spread of COVID-19 Causes Irvin L. Young Library to Close Again After Fri., 7/24; Curbside Pickup Available

July 22, 2020

Due to the increasing number of positive COVID-19 cases, the Irvin L. Young Library will be closing its doors again on Friday, July 24 at 5:30 p.m. Curbside pickup will resume on Monday, July 27. Please see the information below.

Savory Sounds Concert on July 23 Features Lauren Hayes

July 20, 2020

(WHITEWATER – Whitewater Arts Alliance Press Release) – The second of three Savory Sounds Concerts to take place at the Cultural Arts Center on 402 West Main Street on Thursday, July 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. will feature harpist Lauren Hayes. All concerts will be outside at the Whitewater Arts Alliance’s Cultural Arts Center. In case of rain, the concerts will be live-streamed.

La Piazza Pizzeria, 162 West Main Street, will provide lunches with pre-orders.  Attendees should call 262-458-2727 to pre-order lunches for pick up prior to the concert.

Chicago-based harpist Lauren Hayes is an avid orchestral, chamber, and solo musician, frequently performing with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Chicago Composers Orchestra, and as an Associate in the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.  In addition to performing, she maintains a large private teaching studio and volunteers with the non-profit Sharing Notes. Hayes holds a PD in Orchestral Studies from Roosevelt University (2019), a MA in Harp with Distinction from the London Royal Academy of Music (2016), and a BM in Harp Performance from the University of Arizona (2014).  Lauren Hayes was born and raised in Whitewater.

Lauren Hayes

The Donnelly Sahyun Family Says: “Go Out And See the Comet!”

July 17, 2020
Comet Neowise Visits Whitewater, Next Appearance in 6,800 Years
 
Photo by Leif Sahyun, using his iPhone held up to the eyepiece of the binoculars:

The comet Neowise will be visible in Whitewater’s northwestern sky in the hours after sunset until July 23. Around 10:15 p.m. on Thursday, July 16, the Donnelly Sahyun family were just able to make out the comet from the hill over Trippe Lake park. It was about one fist above the downtown lights and two fists below the Big Dipper. To the naked eye it looked like a faint blur, but a better view was available through binoculars secured to a camera tripod. If you live in the countryside and have an unobstructed, northwestern, dark sky view, you may see it even more clearly. We recommend the experience! 

Our thanks to the Donnelly Sahyun family for this first-hand report.

Link to NASA Neowise information: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/how-to-see-comet-neowise. There you’ll learn that the comet was just discovered on March 27, 2020 by NASA’s Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (NEOWISE) mission, not to be seen again for another 6,800 years.

Local Resident Named to University of Minnesota Twin Cities Dean’s List

July 17, 2020

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL, Minn. (July 17, 2020) – The following students have been named to the 2020 spring semester Dean’s List at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, the university announced today.

To qualify for the Dean’s List, a student must complete 12 or more letter-graded credits while attaining a 3.66 grade point average.

John Downs, Senior, College of Sci and Engineering

City Begins Street/Parking Lot Crack Sealing

July 17, 2020

Whitewater, Wis. July 17, 2020 – On Monday, July 20, 2020, the Department of Public Works will begin crack sealing in various locations around the City. No parking signs will be posted in these areas as crews progress through the list. There will be no parking allowed between 6:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, when posted. Work is expected to be completed in two to three weeks.

Group #1

Lot A
Lot B (including 2nd Street from Whitewater St south)
Lot C
Lot D
Lot E
Lot F
Lot G
Lot H
Lot I

Group #2

Bluff Road (Round-a-bout to Howard Rd)
Howard Road (Bluff Road north)
Greenway Court
Executive Drive

Group #3

N. Esterly Avenue
N. Franklin Street (Main St to Starin Rd)
Starin Road (Tratt St to Park St)
Starin Park parking lots (2)
Starin Park park roads
Highland Street (Summit St to Elizabeth St)

Group #4
Black River Court
Bloomingfield Drive (Tratt Street to west)
Blue Mounds Drive
Tower Hill Pass
Stonefield Lane
Peninsula Lane

Walmart National Policy Requires Shoppers to Wear Face Covering Beginning Monday, July 20

July 15, 2020

Per The Hill and various other media outlets, “Walmart announced on Wednesday it will require shoppers to wear a face covering starting on July 20 in all stores and clubs across the U.S.

Walmart noted that currently about 65 percent of its more than 5,000 stores and clubs are located in areas where there is some form of government mandate on face coverings. The new policy is in place to help bring consistency, the company said.

“While we’re certainly not the first business to require face coverings, we know this is a simple step everyone can take for their safety and the safety of others in our facilities,” Dacona Smith, Walmart U.S. chief operating officer, and Lance de la Rosa, Sam’s Club chief operating officer, wrote in a press release.

Walmart created a health ambassador position for each store and will station them near the entrance of stores, along with clear signage, to remind people without a mask of the policy. The ambassadors will receive special training and be identifiable by black polo shirts.”

For the complete story in The Hill, please click here.

Local Student Named to Dean’s List at Aurora University

July 14, 2020

AURORA, Ill. (July 13, 2020) – Aurora University has named Cherie Meinen of Whitewater, WI, to the Dean’s List for the spring 2020 semester. Meinen is a Junior majoring in Bachelor of Soc Work. The Dean’s List recognizes full-time undergraduate students who have earned a 3.6 GPA or higher.

Aurora University is a four-year, private, nonprofit, fully accredited higher education institution offering students an excellent education while maintaining one of the lowest private school tuition rates in Illinois. Our campus is nestled in a tree-lined neighborhood in Aurora, the second largest city in Illinois, and located approximately 45 miles from Chicago. The university serves approximately 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students across more than 50 majors and programs. AU leadership, faculty, and staff are committed to the success of our students, offering strong academic support programs and learning opportunities that prepare students for success beyond graduation. The university is also committed to giving back to the city we live and work in by offering educational and cultural programming that enriches the larger community. Our dedication to the transformative power of learning inspires all to discover what matters and build a life around it.

Obituaries

Obituary: Ethel M. Herold, 81, of Beaver Dam

Ethel M. Herold, age 81, of Beaver Dam, died Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at Beaver Dam Health Care Center. Visitation for Ethel will be at Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam on Thursday, May 23, 2024 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:50 p.m. Funeral services will follow at 7:00 p.m. with Deacon Ed Cody officiating. Burial will be at St. Michael Cemetery in Beaver Dam. Ethel was born on January 24, 1943, at home, in the Town of Westford, Dodge County, Wisconsin to Louis and Sarah (Hepp) Dronek. She graduated from Randolph High School in 1961. On September 16, 1967, she … Read more

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Obituary: Betty E. Heth, 87

Betty E. Heth, 87, of Whitewater, Wisconsin passed away peacefully on Friday, May 10, 2024 at Fairhaven Senior Living in Whitewater. Betty was born on January 16, 1937 in Whitewater, Wisconsin to Sidney and Mary Belle (Pollock) Hackett. Betty grew up on her family’s farm. Betty attended Whitewater High School, and shortly after high school she attended the Whitewater Teacher’s College. Betty married Dale Arthur Heth on May 4, 1958 in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Together they had one Son, Steven. Betty was a fabulous baker, and took pride in everything she made. Betty was a baker at the University of Whitewater for … Read more

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Obituary: James R. Dietzman, 85, of Fort Atkinson

James R. Dietzman, 85, of Fort Atkinson, formerly of Whitewater passed away peacefully on May 2, 2024, in Johnson Creek, Wisconsin. Born on January 22, 1939, in Beloit, Wisconsin, son of the late James and Murial (Bush) Dietzman. He and his siblings faced the world together after being orphaned at a young age. Despite never learning to read, James’s adventurous spirit led him to a colorful life that included joining the circus and later dedicating 20 years of service to Douglas Aircraft, followed by time at Chicago Motors. In his fifties, he discovered a passion for driving trucks, traversing the … Read more

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Obituary: Wava Jean Nelson, 95, of Kenosha

Wava Jean Nelson, 95, of Kenosha (formerly of Whitewater) passed away on Sunday, May 12th, 2024 at Advocate Aurora Hospital in Kenosha. Wava Jean was born on June 22, 1928 in Baraboo, Wisconsin to Kenneth Weinke and Zona Scott (Gardner). She graduated from Wonewoc High School in 1946 and was the valedictorian of her class. Wava Jean enrolled at UW-Whitewater (known as the WI State Teachers College at the time) and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Education in 1950. On June 18, 1950 Wava Jean married Wesley Nelson (of Whitewater) in Reedsburg, Wisconsin and together they raised a son. … Read more

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Obituary: Scott E. Willson, 71, of Palmyra

Scott E. Willson, 71, of Palmyra, WI, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 9, 2024 at Sunset Ridge Memory Care, Jefferson, WI. Scott was born on October 15, 1952 at the Fort Atkinson Memorial Hospital, son of Neil and Marjorie (Frank) Willson. He grew up on his family’s dairy farm and graduated from Palmyra High School. After high school, Scott continued his education at the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. Scott worked as a sales rep for the majority of his working career for the Bendix Corporation. His outgoing and friendly demeanor … Read more

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Obituary: Cheryl E. Watson, 66, of Larwill, IN

Cheryl E. Watson November 26, 1957 — April 19, 2024 Cheryl E. Watson, age 66, of Larwill, IN, passed away at 11:13 p.m. on Friday, April 19, 2024, at Parkview Whitley Hospital, Columbia City.  Born on November 26, 1957, in Fort Atkinson, WI, she was the daughter of Dewey and Laura (Darlington) Lilly. Cheryl attended Whitewater High School in Whitewater, WI, and graduated with the Class of 1976.  On June 11, 1983, she married Daniel Watson in Fort Atkinson, WI.  They moved to Indiana in 1986 and settled in their current home of Larwill in 1988. Cheryl worked as a … Read more

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Obituary: Edith I. McElroy (nee Rye), 91

Edith I. McElroy (nee Rye) passed away on Friday, April 26, 2024, at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg, WI. She was born on October 23, 1932, on her parents’ farm in Johnstown Township, Rock County, WI, the daughter of Ralph and Clara (Duoss) Rye. Edith graduated from Whitewater High School (class of 1950), The National Louis University – College of Education (class of 1954), in Evanston, IL, and pursued graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. In her undergraduate program, her clinical & student-teaching experiences were at Jane Addam’s Hull House Settlement School, Chicago, IL. All totaled, her elementary … Read more

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Obituary: Anna Marie Jacobs, 70

Anna Marie Jacobs of Waukesha was born to Eternal Life on Sunday, May 5, 2024 surrounded by her loving family at the age of 70. She was born in Fort Atkinson, WI on April 18, 1954 the daughter of Joseph and Ida (nee Poulsen) Fitzgerald and grew up in Whitewater. On August 11, 1973 she married her devoted husband, Glenn at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Whitewater. Anna worked for many years as the Juvenile Court Clerk for the City of Waukesha Police Department. She loved cooking, baking, a delicious Friday Fish Fry, and a good Old Fashioned. Her number … Read more

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Obituary: Suzanne L. Preuschl, 67, of Beloit

Suzanne L. Preuschl, age 67, of Beloit, died Saturday April 27, 2024, at Beloit Memorial Hospital. She was born April 27, 1957, to Richard and Carrie “Bette” (White) LaBonne in Madison, WI. Suzanne graduated from Whitewater High School in 1975. She married Mark E. Preuschl on August 22, 1981, in Whitewater. Suzanne touched many lives, while working in her many roles at a variety of local credit unions, until her retirement in 2021. She was funny, mischievous, generous with her time, a great judge of character and always willing to help others. Suzanne loved music, singing & dancing. She also … Read more

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Obituary: Florence H. Pape, 105

Florence H. Pape, age 105, of Whitewater and longtime resident of Little Prairie, WI passed away on Thursday, April 25, 2024 at Hearthstone Memory Care in Whitewater. Florence was born on October 5, 1918 in the Town of Eagle, WI the youngest child of Frederick and Harriet (Watson) Kuhl. She grew up in the village of Little Prairie and attended high school in Milwaukee while living with her sister, Edith. After completing her schooling, Florence was united in marriage to Arthur E. Pape and the two were blessed with a son, Robert. The family moved around for Arthur’s work, mostly … Read more

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